2679 Martial Competition of the 16 Counties

"County Governor Wang," Tian Ji Yu replied with a faint smile on his face.

County Governor Wang's name was Wang Qi Ling. He was the County Governor of Fair Mountain County. He was here for the same reason as Tian Ji Yu. Both of them had brought young men in their respective counties here to participate in the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties. The people standing behind Wang Qi Ling, apart from the 30 young men, were his favorite subordinates. The young men behind Wang Qi Ling stared at Qin Yu and the other young men behind Tian Ji Yu with hostility. After all, they were competitors. Only by defeating each other would they be able to rank in the top of the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties.

Wang Qi Ling studied the young men standing behind Tian Ji Yu for a moment before he said with a knowing smile on his face, "County Governor Tian, it seems like you're missing one person from your team?"

"He has gone out to train. He'll come when the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties begins," Tian Ji Yu replied indifferently.

When Wang Qi Ling heard Tian Ji Yu's words, his eyes narrowed, and he asked probingly, "Gone out to train? County Governor Tian, is the person you're referring to Duan Ling Tian? The young powerhouse who gained fame in Nine Specters County?"

A pleased expression appeared on Tian Ji Yu's face as he smiled. He did not reply to Wang Qi Ling's question and only said, "County Governor Wang, we'll enter the city first." Then, without waiting for a response, he led the group of people and entered King City of King Qin's Mansion, leaving Wang Qi Ling who had a dark expression on his face behind.

An old man behind Wang Qi Ling said in a low voice, "Lord County Governor, I'm afraid that the man who has gone out for training is most probably Duan Ling Tian!"

Wang Qi Ling said in a low voice, "Who else could it be other than Duan Ling Tian? Initially, when I received news that Duan Ling Tian is as strong as a Great Overarching Golden Celestial even though he's less than 100 years of age, I met with the other 14 County Governors. We spent a large number of supreme Celestial Stones just to hire a heaven-rank Great Overarching Golden Celestial to kill Duan Ling Tian. Who knew that powerhouse couldn't find Duan Ling Tian even though he combed through all the areas in Nine Specters County? Duan Ling Tian managed to escape the powerhouse and avoid death."

Wang Qi Ling and the other 14 County Governors were, naturally, unhappy with this situation. For this reason, they had convened and decided to use supreme Celestial Stones to hire someone who was stronger than Tian Ji Yu to kill Duan Ling Tian. Alas, their target disappeared and vanished without a trace.

A middle-aged man standing behind Wang Qi Ling said with a bitter smile on his face, "Well, if our Fair Mountain County has a powerhouse like Duan Ling Tian, we would've protected him with the same method as well. It occurred to me that County Governor Tian would send Duan Ling Tian away when we hired the assassin to kill Duan Ling Tian."

Another man from Wang Qi Ling's entourage scoffed and said, "Do you think Lord County Governor didn't think about that? However, we can't let go of the slightest possibility of killing him." He sighed before he said again, "Duan Ling Tian's presence will greatly affect the outcome of the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties… If he shows up, there's no doubt he'll definitely rank first in the competition."

"Indeed." The others agreed with his words as well.

Wang Qi Ling was rather displeased and frustrated that they had failed to kill Duan Ling Tian. However, he knew there was nothing he could do at this point.

...

At this moment, the King City of King Qin's Mansion was filled with many young powerhouses from the 16 counties governed by King Qin's Mansion since the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties would begin in three days. The city that had been bustling was surprisingly calm during the days before the competition. It was like the calm before the storm.

...

Inside an inconspicuous inn in King City.

In a large room, an old lady wearing a long plain robe stared at a middle-aged man before her and asked in a low voice, "The County Governor of Nine Specters County only brought 29 young men with him?"

If Tian Ji Yu, the County Governor of Nine Specters County, was around, he would definitely recognize the middle-aged man. The middle-aged man was none other than Wang Qi Ling, the County Governor of Fair Mountain County, whom he had met outside the gate of King City!

Although Wang Qi Ling was a County Governor, he appeared to be very humble and respectful before the old lady. His attitude was comparable to how it would be if he met King Qin.

Wang Qi Ling said worriedly, "I saw it with my own eyes. I'm assuming the 30th place is kept for Duan Ling Tian who has been missing for a year now. Senior, perhaps, you'll be able to catch him in King Qin's Mansion. However, if he shows up when the Martial Competition of 16 Counties begins, it might be difficult for you to kill him. The powerhouses in King Qin's Mansion will definitely intervene to protect him."

The old lady scoffed. Her expression was so cold that it caused Wang Qi Ling to feel as though winter had arrived early. She said domineeringly, "If Duan Ling Tian shows up, even if King Qin himself wants to intervene, he won't be able to do so unless he wants to die!"

Wang Qi Ling gulped audibly when he heard the old lady's words. He became even more respectful at this moment. Although he knew she was very strong, he did not expect she was even stronger than King Qin. How could he not be surprised when he heard her say she was stronger than King Qin?

"Based on my knowledge, the Martial Competition of 16 Counties that's going to be held in King Qin's Mansion isn't open to the public. Find a way to bring me in. I don't want to act recklessly and alert Duan Ling Tian. If I cause too big of a commotion, I'm afraid he won't show up," the old lady said indifferently.

"Yes," Wang Qi Ling replied respectfully. Then, he asked, "Senior, do you have orders for me? If there's none, can I take my leave ?"

"Yes, you may," the old lady replied. Throughout the entire conversation, she did not even spare a glance at Wang Qi Ling.

...

Three days later.

The Martial Competition of the 16 Counties in King Qin's Mansion started just as planned. Everything seemed calm and normal on the surface. However, as the days passed, the competition turned more and more intense as it was about to reach the end.

Tian Ji Yu, the County Governor of Nine Specters County, grew more and more anxious as well. "Why hasn't Duan Ling Tian shown up? The competition is about to end!" He could not help but feel he had been cheated by Duan Ling Tian. He was beginning to think that Duan Ling Tian had reneged on their deal.

On the other hand, Qin Yu, who had just been eliminated, could not help but worry about Duan Ling Tian when he did not see Duan Ling Tian. He thought to himself, 'Duan Ling Tian should be fine, right?'

Pang Bing, the strongest inner-estate elder in the County Governor's estate in Nine Specters County, snorted derisively before he said, "I don't think Duan Ling Tian is going to show up! What an ingrate! The County Governor's estate had nurtured him, and yet, he doesn't show up at the critical moment!"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Qiu spoke up in defense of Duan Ling Tian, "Elder Pang Bing, you can't say such things. Perhaps, Duan Ling Tian encountered a problem or has something important to attend to and couldn't arrive in time?"

Pang Bing smiled coldly. "Something important to attend to? What an excuse! Is there anything more important than the Martial Competition of the 16 Counties? After all, three Great Overarching Pills are at stake here. If he doesn't show up, we'll lose our chance of obtaining any pill, let alone three pills." His expression was rather unsightly as he spoke.

Tian Ji Yu was irritated when he saw his two subordinates arguing. "What's the matter? None of us can be 100% certain that Duan Ling Tian won't show up. Just wait and see for now."